Sports
IJA Sets the Pace at Gateway Games 2024 with Four Medals in Two Days
Invited Junior Athletes ( IJA) sets early marker at Gateway Games 2024 with four medals after Day 2
The Invited Junior Athletes, IJA, have set an early marker at their first ever National Sports Festival in Ogun state after denying the Elite Athletes four medals already, by winning two Gold, one silver and one bronze medal within the first two days of the Games.
Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur made history winning the two gold, one silver and one bronze in the 45kg women category.
Chijioke claimed two gold medals in clean and jerk with the best lift of 82kg while Tekumbur, also claimed the bronze in clean and jerk.
The National Sports Commission, NSC, has continued to receive plenty of accolades for the IJA initiative introduced to the Festival as the 38th State and the early performance of the junior athletes within the first two days of the Games is already justifying the essence of the concept.
The NSC introduced the Invited junior Athletes concept so that Nigeria can start having a unique and scientific transition system between the upcoming junior athletes and the elite athletes.
Director General of the NSC, Hon. Bukola Olopade, maintained that the IJA concept was designed to tie grassroots to elite Sports by bridging the transition gap that has existed in the past.
“ Ninety percent of the kids representing IJA are champions from the youth games and the ones that have upset the staquo by winning these medals have automatically been elevated to elite status and qualify for elite grants that will prepare them for the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Championships next year”.
” Being the first time we are having this concept we never expected them to win medals but just to get exposure by competing with the elite athletes but we can see with the four medals already won that the junior athletes we brought for this Games are really fancying their chances with the big boys”.
Thirty eight junior athletes across different sports are representing the Invited junior Athletes , IJA, at the Gateway Games.
Sports
29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase
Joel Ajayi
With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.
The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.
Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.
Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.
For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.
President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.
The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.
With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.
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